The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-09
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER.
Congressman ButterwOrth Thinks it Bad
acknowledgements in New York.

Washington Special.
Major Butterworth, being asked for an ex-
preston in regard to the Presidents letter de-
clining to 60 to St Louis. said:
II have read the letter OF the President de-
Ginning to fulfill his promise to 60 to St. Louis,
after having accepted the invitation OF the people
of that city to visit them, and also after having
accepted the invitation of the Grand Army OF
the Republic to visit their encampment, which
would meet at the Same place.
'The letter is unfortunate. 1t il q Thoroughly
bad precedent to have it intimated that the
President, after having accepted an invitation to
60 anywhere in this Republic, should refuse Tor
the reason that he approhends that h9 Will be
subjected to violence or insult hope the time
will never como in this country, and am sure 1t
has not come yet, when the Presidents may not
60 anywhere in the United States without being
subjected to any trace of insult or indignity. He
ought to understand that his letter il q plain
suggestion that the Grand Army OF the Republic
would offer him some indlgnlty II ne vlsiteo
their encampment Such thing would be
utterly impossible. It is true that the various
army posts and great many soldiers have given
expressions TO feelings Of indignation on account
of the proposition to return the captured flags.
But the President should remember that such
expressions were q comment upon proposed
public action, and that they differ very widely
from offering personal indignity to the Presi-
dent of the United States. / am in doubt
whether his suggestion that the Grand Army
would insult the President and possibly of1er
him personal violence will not be great an
affront as the proposition TO return the flags
they had captured. OF course, the members Of
the Grand Army will resent the suggestion that
it is possible for them to offer the President an
insult indignity while he is their guest in pur-
suance of their invitation, or even il present
without their invitation.
s'To criticise his official action was the right
and even the duty of the soldiers who felt offend
ed at his course; but that is, | have already
said, very far from offering personal affront to
the chief magistrate of the Republic. The
patriotic soldiers who fought for the preserva-
ton of the country could not afford to indulge
in a course of conduct imputed to them in that
letter towards the chief executive officer OF the
country, however much they may feel inclined
to critIcise some of his official actions.
Il think his letter is to be regretted on every
account. First, as setting a bad precedent, in
that it suggests that we have reached time in
the United States when it is not safe for the
President to visit one of the great cities of the
Union on the invitation of the inhabitants of
that city; and, second. because it is unjust
of the Grand Army; and third, it is. as be-
lieve, great injustice to the members of the
Grand Army, who certainly know what is due
TO themselves and to the President of the United
States.
Il have no trace of doubt that if he had Wis
tied the encampment at st. Louis, he would
have been received with every mark of respect
and due to the honor ard gallantry of the men
who in the ranks OF the Grand Army.
"In this country, less than in any other, can
we safely hold in light esteem the authority of
the law, and those whom the law has appointed
to execute its mandstes.
II sincerely hope Ito use the language of the
President with reference to the fags) that he
consideration of the subjecs) reconsider his &C.
tion.n